The purpose of this Policy Information Notice (PIN) is to provide clarification on Health Center Program sliding fee discount program requirements including:

(1) a schedule of fees for services;

(2) a corresponding schedule of discounts for eligible patients that is adjusted on the basis of the patient's ability to pay (referred to as the sliding fee discount schedule (SFDS) for the purposes of this PIN); and

(3) governing board-approved policies and procedures, including those around billing, collections, and waivers or reductions of any fees or payment required by the center for services that support the fee and discount schedules based on an individual's ability to pay.

When providing comments, please be as specific as possible, and reference the section of the PIN and/or page number(s). Comments will be reviewed and analyzed, and a final PIN, along with a summary and general response to comments, will be published as soon as possible after the comment submission deadline.

Comments should be submitted to OPPDSFPIN@hrsa.gov by close of business September 28, 2012.

If you have any questions or require further guidance, please contact the Bureau of Primary Health Care, Office of Policy and Program Development, at OPPDSFPIN@hrsa.gov.